Stelis chuspipatensis Luer & R.Vásquez 2018

SECTION Humboldtia [Ruiz & Pavon] Pers.

Photo by © Saul Altamirano A. and The Parque Nacional Carrasco, Cochabamba Bolivia, Orquideas del Proyecto Hidroelectrico Ivirizu Website

Common Name The Chuspipata Stelis [amed for the community of Chauspipata where the species was collected]

Flower Size .4" [1 cm]

Found in La Paz department of Bolivia as a miniature sized epiphyte at elevations around 1800 meters as a miniature to small sized, cool growing, caespitose epiphyte with relatively stout, erect ramicauls enveloped by a loose tubular sheaths belw the middle and another at the base and carrying a single, apical, coriiaceous, obovate, round apically, cuneate below into the petiolate base leaf that blooms in the early summer on 1 to 2, erect, arising through a slender spathe, peduncle 1.6 to 2" [4 to 5 cm] long, rachis 3.6 to 6.8" [9 to 17 cm] long, erect, strict, distichous, sublax, simultaneously many, numerous flowered inflorescence with oblique, acute, as long as the pedicel floral bracts and carrying shortly pubscent sepals within, the dorsal purple, the laterals purple or yellow, the petals yellow-green, and a yellow green lip.

"This large, caespitose species is similar to Stelis purpurea (Ruiz & Pav.) Willd., but is quickly distinguished by short floral bracts. In addition, the leaves are broad, obovate, round-tipped, and surpassed by one or two long, many-flowered racemes with sepals minutely pubescent within, the dorsal sepal being seven-veined. The petals are also minutely pubescent. The lips of the two species are similar. Luer & Vasquez 2018

Synonyms

References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ;

* Selbyana 32(1,2): 30 Luer & Vasquez 2018

Selbyana 32(1,2): 133 Luer & Vasquez 2018 Drawing fide

The Parque Nacional Carrasco, Cochabamba Bolivia, Orquideas del Proyecto Hidroelectrico Ivirizu Website 2021 photo fide;

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